HIGHLIGHTS

• Soak up the charming atmosphere and religious landmarks of Luang Prabang, UNESCO World Heritage Town.
• Explore the sleepy Laotian capital - home to ornate temples and colonial-influenced architecture.
• Join the cooking classes to learn about Laos cuisine.
• Discover some of the tastes of Laos's street-food.
• Mingle with the locals at the fresh morning markets.

Day by Day itineraries

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival.

"Sabaidee" - Welcome to magical Laos! Upon arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport, you will be picked up by Laos Travel's representative and transferred to your hotel for checking in. Enjoy a welcome drink and choose to relax or explore nearby sights on your leisure time.

Positioned at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and surrounded by verdant mountains, the ancient royal capital of Luang Prabang is considered the heart of Laotian culture and retains a unique ambiance. It has many great cafés, restaurants and night food stalls which emerge at dusk, ask the guide for personal recommendations to enjoy your dinner.



Meals: N/A.

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang City Tour.

An early start provides the fantastic opportunity to witness the captivating centuries old daily tradition of the alms giving ceremony, Tak Bat. Before sunrise, hundreds of saffron-clad monks file out from the old town's 35 temples to collect their daily alms from faithful local residents.

Following the ceremony, wander around the beautiful ancient town of Luang Prabang, also written as Luang Phabang or Luang Phrabang, taking in all of the sights. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the magnificent stupa of Wat Wisunarat, one of Luang Prabang's most historically important temples, built in the 16th century and serving as a small museum for religious artefacts. Next stop is Wat That Luang, traditionally the cremation site for Lao Royalty and housing the ashes of King Sisavang Vong and his brother, interred inside the large stupa, erected in 1910.

Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture and showcases classic Lao style roofs. This temple was one of only two temples spared by the Black Flag army in 1887, and it was then used as the leader's headquarters during the invasion.

Pay visits to Wat Mai and the nearby former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before climbing to the top of Mount Phousi. The 100 meter (328 feet) hill is crowned by a gilded stupa, That Chomsi, which dominates the old city centre. Enjoy a sunset view of the gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city and surrounding landscape.

Tonight you'll dine at LElephant, widely regarded as Luang Prabang's premier restaurant.



Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Explore Luang Prabang's Culture & Cuisine.

Today, you'll discover Luang Prabang on foot and by bicycle, visiting markets and places not frequented by tourists, such as the morning market, where you will find all sorts of culinary delights on sale while your guide explains how they are used in a Lao kitchen. Enjoy a coffee and local Lao pastry in the most famous Lao coffee shop by the Mekong River. Ride the short distance to Ban Mano to try some local dishes and then continue to a rice noodle factory and a Kaw Chi bakery.

In the late afternoon, eat like a local on the street food tour and sample an array of delicious delicacies as your guide leads the way to the tastiest stalls.

After exploring the winding alleyways of the Night Market, sit down to enjoy a delicious BBQ overlooking the Mekong the perfect way to savour the tastes of Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang Kuang Si Waterfall Fly to Vientiane.

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the area around one of Luang Prabang's most impressive and picturesque waterfalls, Kuang Si. Trek through jungle park-lands to Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, located nearby. Established in 2003, the centre has rescued numerous bears from wildlife traffickers and traditional medicine traders. Here, you will help-out with the bears' midday scatter feed. Afterwards, stroll to Kuang Si Waterfall, where a 60m cascade feeds into multi-tiered turquoise pools set in a beautiful lush forest setting. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water or choose to walk up the trails to the upper section.

After a picnic lunch in the tranquil park, return to the town and enjoy some free time.

Later of this day, transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane, South East Asia's smallest capital city. Nestled along the banks of the Mekong River & near the Thai border, this former French Indochina trading post exudes a laid-back ambiance and old-world charm.

On arrival, check in to you hotel and relax. Perhaps, you may like to stroll along the river, enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls...



Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.

Day 5: Discover Vientiane Enjoy Streetfood.

Today you will discover the essential landmarks and iconic sights that the small and charismatic city of Vientiane has to offer. With French colonial architecture & magnificent Buddhist temples, Vientiane boasts a rich mixture of cultures to savor.

Start at Wat Sisaket, believed to be Vientiane's oldest surviving temple, left intact after the Siamese invasion of 1828. The interior walls of the cloister are covered in niches containing over 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha images. Next is a visit to Wat Phra Keo, built originally to house the famed Emerald Buddha and now a religious museum that displays a collection of art representing Lao and Khmer artefacts. Continue to Wat Si Muang - the most popular onet in town, before visiting Patuxai Monument, Laos' version of the Arc de Triomphe and its most prominent monument.

The city tour also takes you to the golden spired Pha That Luang, constructed in the 16th century and regarded as the holiest site in Laos, and the Buddha Park, built in 1958 by Luang Pu, a yogi-priest shaman.

In the evening, depart on an adventurous dinner safari by tuk-tuk, exploring and eating at the bustling evening food market near That Luang. Your guide will walk you through the market, stopping to teach you about the different dishes and local dinner culture. Try some of the tasty dishes on the spot, or bring them along with you to our next stop: a traditional Lao style BBQ, or "sindat". Next, wander to a well known roadside dessert and drink night market. Afterwards, return to your hotel by tuk tuk.



Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.

Day 6: Vientiane Cooking Class Departure.

In the morning, you will be transferred to the garden in Mekong River and begin the preparation steps for lunch. Your local professional chef will have a demonstration firstly so that you can have a clear overview of the cooking process. After that, you will taste it and make it real by your own. You also can challenge your skills by making without support from chef. Otherwise, the chef is always available and helpful to support you create your art on dish.



Afterwards, enjoy your own meals after the lesson!

Then it's time to transfer to the airport for your outbound flight. Tour concludes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Accommodation: N/A.